Bible Studies

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The Letters
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 - Living Holy Lives
Key Verses: (MSG)

• 1: "Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love." - Faithfully following Christ results in changed lives founded in love and kindness for one another.
  
  
• 2-4: "Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed… ³Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. ⁴Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband." - Deep Christian love overcomes barriers to hospitality, sympathy, and fidelity. These are not laws or rules to follow, but instead, the outcome and result of changed hearts.
  
  
• 5: "Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." - We shall have faith and assurance that God will provide for our needs.
  
  
• 7-8: "Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. ⁸For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, He's always totally Himself." - We are to look to our leaders as models and mentors in Christian living and find the common thread that is woven throughout - Christ.
  
  
• 16: "Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship--a different kind of "sacrifice"--that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets." - Our entire lives are to be lived as acts of worship.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Do you love? Do you reach out with love to everyone you meet? Does your love overcome the barriers that society tends to create between people? Do you love in spite of race, creed, or religion? Do you love the angry and the oppressed? Do you love the murderer and the rapist? Do you love the homeless and the vagrant? Do you love the sick and the aged? Do you love the Muslim and the Jew? Do you love?
  
  
• Have you been changed? As a Christian have you noticed a personal trend towards living a more holy life? Do you feel God molding you to live increasingly Christ-like in everything you do? Are you more charitable and hospitable, always ready with a meal or a bed when it is needed? Are you more understanding and accepting of others? Are you more trustworthy and reliable in the keeping of your promises and vows? Are you more content and satisfied with what you have and who you are?
  
  
• Are you consistent? Do you feel the consistency of Christ's love coursing through your veins? As you look to other Christians, can you see His love in their eyes? Is there a special glow and a warm smile prevalent throughout Christendom? Regardless of our differing opinions and ideas, do you see a common thread linking us all together? Do you seek evidence of this consistency in your pastoral leaders? Do you attempt to live as they live, study as they study, and pray as they pray?
  
  
• Is your life an act of worship? Is your every action worthy of God's love? Do your thoughts and deeds reflect the deep love He has for you? Are you constantly aware of His love? How would your life differ if your worship for God took "place in (your) kitchen and workplace and on the streets?" What can you do to make this happen?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

When we focus our lives around Christ, good things happen. Love pulses through every relationship. We willingly seek opportunities to provide a helping hand to those in need. Our compassion for others is evident regardless of the circumstances. Our faithfulness to God promotes faithfulness with each other. We are not worried or concerned about acquisitions or wealth. We consistently demonstrate Christ's love to the world. But most importantly, our every action becomes an act of worship to God. These are the evidence of sanctification. These are the proof that having Christ living within us results in transformed and holy lives.

FUMC Devotionals

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